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Welcome to Columbus Land Surveying's website

This site is intended to provide you with information on Land Surveying in the Columbus, GA, Muscogee County, GA and the Phenix City, AL, Russell County, AL and surrounding areas of Georgia and Alabama. If you're looking for a Columbus Land Surveyor, you've come to the right site. If you'd rather talk to someone about your land surveying needs, please call (706) 405-3842 today. For more information, please continue to read.

Land Surveyors are professionals who measure and make precise measurements to determine the size and boundaries of a piece of real estate. While this is a simplistic definition, boundary surveying is one of the most common types of surveying related to home and land owners. If you fall into the following categories, please click on the appropriate link for more information on that subject:

Columbus Land Surveying services:

I have a loan closing or re-finance coming up on my home in a subdivision. (Lot Survey)

I need a map of my property with contour lines to show elevation differences for my architect or engineer. (Topo Survey)

I've just been told I'm in a flood zone or I 've been told I need an elevation certificate in order to obtain flood insurance or prove I don't need it. (Flood Survey)

I'm purchasing a lot/house in a recorded subdivision. (Lot Survey – See Boundary Survey)

I'm purchasing a larger tract of land, acreage, that hasn't been subdivided in the past. (Boundary Survey)

If your needs don't fall into one of the above, don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of it. CALL Columbus Land Surveying TODAY at (706) 405-3842 OR better yet, fill out a Contact Form request to discuss your survey needs.

Land surveying is a profession that greatly utilize the GPS system.

Today, man-made constellations are in orbit. Their purpose is to provide instant, exact and global positioning information. This global positioning system or GPS is revolutionizing the modern construction sites, automating and guiding land surveying equipment, providing instantaneous circles and volume gap, simplifying total and controlled surveys. Nearly everyone involved in the land surveying and construction industry has heard something about satellite positioning technology or maybe you or someone you know is already using it. Whether an operator or a casual observer, there are still many questions about how this exciting system really works.

These positioning satellites don't stay in one place like the stars; they orbit the earth about twice a day. Constantly transmitting uniquely identified radio signals that can be perceived by specialized units on earth. These signals are used to precisely measure the distance to the receiving instrument from each satellite visibly overhead.

Just as stars have exact locations in the sky, the locations of the GPS satellites are also defined, becoming orbiting reference points. Using a process based on triangulation, a GPS receiver processes the signals from multiple satellites to compute an accurate position on Earth, which is why it is widely use in land surveying.

For mobile applications that require high accuracy, such as three dimensional machine control, there are two requirements that must be met. First, the signals from a minimum of five satellites must be received at all times. And second, those five satellites must be distributed across the sky. This is called Dilution of Precision or DOP. The simple rule of thumb is this, the more satellites received the better your system will perform.

All land surveying receivers incorporate standard GPS tracking technology; unfortunately the GPS satellite constellation alone cannot continuously make the minimum requirement of accurate mobile positioning. For any given location, there are times in a day when there are less than five available satellites or very poor DOP.

Now, consider a land surveying job site with trees, buildings, or other obstructions when satellite receptions are easily be further reduced. All land surveying GPS receivers suffer this same problem because they all use the same satellites to operate.

Even the planned signal modernization to the GPS satellites won't solve this problem. An obstruction that blocks one signal blocks all signals from that satellite. A land surveying equipment provider has solved this problem. The solution isn't adding more signals from the same satellites; it's adding more satellites.

Today, there is a second positioning satellite constellation in operation, the Glonass System. This positioning system is operated and maintained by the Russian government; much like the GPS is operated and maintained by the United States government; combining these two satellite constellations give land surveyors access to 38 different satellites; 14 more than a GPS-only system.

The additional satellites mean stronger and more accurate positions and better performance in obstructed land surveying areas. These additional satellites mean maximum up time in all land surveying locations, in all conditions.

For an up to date and accurate land surveying service, contact Columbus Land Surveying at (706) 405-3842 or better yet, you may fill out our contact form request and a licensed land surveyor will contact you.

A land surveyor may not be recognized as much as a doctor or a lawyer, but no one can dispute that they play a very crucial role on Earth. As proof, several countries all over the world have unsettled land disputes over other countries. Some may have been settled through the International Court of Justice, Treaty conditions, or a claimant country’s sovereignty has been recognized. And of course, these were all settled with the help of a land surveyor.

Let’s take a look at some of the famous land disputes all over the world settle by a land surveyor:

Mayotte (Africa) – Claimants are France and Comoros. France gained full control under the2009 referendum, the population supported becoming an overseas department of France, and so became one on March 31, 2011.

Ligitan and Sipadan (Asia) – Claimants are Malaysia and Indonesia. The 2002 International Court of Justice ruling awarded both islands to Malaysia, but left unsettled the maritime boundaryimmediately southwest and west of the islands between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Eastern coast of Narva and Petseri County (Europe) – Claimants are Russia and Estonia.Russia recognized them as a part of Estonia withTreaty of Tartu, 1920. After the fall of theSoviet Union, Russia continued administering it.

Tuzla Island and Strait of Kerch; Sarych (Europe) – Claimants are Ukraine and Russia. The conflict arose in 2003 when the Russian authorities started to build a dam towards the island. Since then Ukraine established a border garrison on the island for a closer surveillance. The reason for the conflict is the fact that Tuzla island strategic location gives Ukraine full rights over the main channel in the Strait of Kerch and, thus, the access to theSea of Azov.

San Andrés and Providencia (Central America/Caribbean) – Claimants are Colombia and Nicaragua. Colombia currently has full control because Hondurasde factorecognises Colombian claim.

Los Monjes Archipelago (South America) – Claimants are Venezuela and Colombia. Velenzuela gains full control because Colombia no longer claims the islands, only the surrounding waters.

A piece of parcel is something that signifies power and resources thus many countries fight over it. If big countries have unsettled disputes over a piece of land, small land disputes also happen between siblings, husband and wife, and neighbors. Though you can’t hire a land surveyor from an International Court to settle your small land disputes, you can always hire a local land surveyor who can survey your property and resolve any encroachment claims and/or equally divide a property as mandated by law.

A land surveyor plays a very vital role in settling land disputes, big or small. If you are in a situation that you may need the expertise of a land surveyor, please contact Columbus Land Surveying at (706) 405-3842today or go to our Contact page and send us an email.

Topo Surveying and Topo Surveyor

A Topographic Surveyor also known as Topo Surveyor collects the survey data to locate man-made and natural marks and its elevations on a particular portion of land. It normally comprises any man-made underground marks such as utility lines. It will also illustrate ground level installations such as utility poles, buildings, walls, and many other significant installations.

The utilization of standard topographic surveying procedures are commonly employed to provide accurate measured plan of terrain. It is also used during the mapping and graphing phases of projects to blueprint the locations and layout of the installations, road, buildings, and many other engineering and architectural projects in the construction industry.

Why Hire a Topo Surveyor?

The purpose of getting a Topo Surveyor to do topographic survey is to obtain an accurate trace and documentation of the present state of a parcel of land that will be constructed on; either a building, a wall, or any other construction activity. The design engineers make use of the topo survey as they plan the design and then the proposal of the final surface.

It is important to have this plan as this allows the Engineer compute, analyze, and estimate the amount of earth work that might be required. The Engineer will also be able to balance the amount of earth work to minimize the dirt to be taken off and on the construction site. The architect also makes use of the topo survey the same way as the Engineer does.

Additionally, the architect may plot the surface in 3D to picture out the finished look with the improvements he might add. This plot may be presented to the construction owner, building owner, or the land owner before the actual construction takes place. An accurate topo survey is of big help to ensure the installations and improvements fits in on the site within its boundaries.

Common Methods that a Topo Surveyor use

The two common methods of doing a topographic survey are Aerial Topo Survey and Conventional Topo Survey. How the topographic survey done would vary on the method the Topo Surveyor use. It is important that a topo surveyor know how to carry out both in any circumstances. So if you will need one, make sure he is professional and experienced both methods.

An Aerial Topographic Survey is done on the airspace. It is taken either in a helicopter or in an airplane at a defined distance above the ground level. Aerial photos of the ground surface are then taken and examined by the topo surveyor. This will allow him to envisage the ground surface through the structure of a stereo pair. By looking at the two overlapping aerial photos, the vantage points are determined.

A Conventional Topographic Survey is done when there is a need to get the accurate contour interval and spot elevations. The Aerial Topographic Survey is limited in the precise vertical and horizontal point location of the ground surface. These are just simplified elaboration of the two methods of topographic survey to provide you an overview. Read and research to learn in depth about them or ask a topo surveyor.

If you need a Topo Surveyor, Please call Columbus Land Surveying today at (706) 405-3842 or fill out a contact form request for more information concerning your land surveying needs.

Land Surveyors are Men and women who combine their sense of adventure, their love of technology, and also theirtalentsin makingthings happen with their desire to leave a lasting impression on the earth.

Land surveying is likely one of the world's most vital occupations. It's the only jobqualifiedto form new property boundaries. Moreover, land surveyors also play a significantpart in the construction of incredible architectural accomplishments – from thehistoricalachievementsthat areages old to the impressive buildings today. As a matter of fact, three of the gentlemen on Mount Rushmore were land surveyors themselves, in addition to their other more unimportant accomplishments.

Geographic Information System or GIS

experts and staffrely upon surveyors for mapping details. The taskof your land surveyor has shaped the worldas we know it; and it all starts off with small survey markers. It might bemerely a small orange survey marker, but this mark is one of the millions that the surveyor uses to take detailed measurements that would become maps which will someday become amazing buildings, new roads, master planned communities, or entire cities – and in each step along the way is a surveyor.

Land surveyors specialize inmany types of surveying:

Photogrammetric surveying

In the office, a photogrammetric surveyors may be involved with map making using aerial photos ground control points. This field uses cutting-edge software and state of the art machines. Photogrammetrists themselves are typically licensed separately.

These are land surveyors who may do in-depth research studying old maps and deeds in order to properly lay out a property boundary of a particular piece of property. Typically, we see these boundary surveys as being of larger tracts of land than the "lot survey" that is done within a subdivision. Another specific type of boundary survey is the ALTA Land Title Survey, which is typically done on a commercial parcel of land.

Construction surveyors are thepower behind any growth; these peopleteam up with engineers to ensure that the structuresare constructedwithin the proper area and at the right location and grade. Construction surveyors also keep up with quantities for items that need to be measured and may also do an "as-built" survey at the end of construction to make sure everything is according to the design.

Hydrographic surveying

Hydrographic surveyors take their work to the lake or sea, determining depths, borders, and a lot more. This type of survey work usually uses sonar in order to determine depths and combines these readings with the exact coordinate of the sonar instrument to determine the shape of the lake or sea bottom.

Topographic surveys are done to locate natural and man-made features on a particular parcel of land. The topo survey is different from the other types in that the elevation of the surface of the land is surveyed and represented on the resulting map of the survey. The topo survey usually also includes any man-made underground features, like utility lines. The survey will also show above ground improvements like buildings, utility poles, retaining walls, etc.

Forensic surveying

Land Surveyors may alsofind themselves inside the court room. On many accident scenes, the exact location of vehicles, obstacles and people at the time of accidents are helpful in determining who may be at fault and what exactly happened during the accident. They alsoperforma vital role in providingexpert testimonies with regards to boundaries and evidence interpretation.

Qualifications of land surveyors

With a high school diploma, anyone canbegin as a surveyor technician, then on the job training wouldlast anywhere from six weeks to a year of field training. However, in most states now licensed land surveyors must be college degree holders. Local community universities may offerprograms or a two yearcomprehensive program in land surveying. Incomestend to begreater than average career fields that need a 4 yearcollege diploma or if these peopleacquire a degree or higher, they couldbegin management or one of the many specializations. Individuals working as land surveyors are among the oldest and one of the most useful professional fields.